Traffic rule violators will be booked : Biren

IMPHAL, Feb 13: Majority of the people of the State have little respect for traffic rules and if they go on violating traffic rules, they must be booked and penalised and their licences must be seized, asserted Chief Minister N Biren on the floor of the Manipur Legislative Assembly today.Responding to policy cut motions raised by Opposition Members in the course of discussing five demands pertaining to Home Department which amounted to Rs 1478,05,03,000, Biren stated that the Government has been working to ensure strict adherence to traffic rules by raising the manpower of Traffic Police.The demands were tabled by Finance Minister Y Joykumar for due discussion and approval by the House.In the course of discussing the demands, Opposition MLAs Th Lokeshwar, K Meghachandra and Md Abdul Nasir said that the Government has failed to maintain law and order in both the hills and the valley, is unable to contain crimes against women and children, police forces are unable to discharge their duties properly, no effective action can be taken up against corruption, vehicle lifters and SoO groups have been indulging in rampant extortion.Congress MLAs K Ranjit, Govindas Konthoujam, Okram Surjakumar and Okram Henry said that the police stations concerned talk about money for refuelling vehicles when they (MLAs) ask for protection during their visit to their Home constituencies.They went on to ask about the Government’s initiatives to bring UG cadres to the mainstream, prevent surrendered UG cadres from going back to the path of violence who are mulling to go back due to persistent harassment by police and paramilitary forces and to address the ever-worsening traffic congestion at Imphal city.Responding to the Opposition Members, N Biren said that the incumbent Government has been paying extra attention to the Home Department and the department has been focusing on such issues like crimes against women, drug abuse, insurgency, discipline of police personnel and public-police relationship.Underscoring the importance of fostering cordial relationship between public and police/paramilitary forces, the Chief Minister acknowledged reports about harassment of ex-UG cadres who have settled to civilian life by police and paramilitary forces.All police stations would be issued stringent instructions to check such excesses and there are plans to add some attractive elements in the State’s surrender policy so that more UG cadres are willing to join the mainstream. The surrender policy would be more attractive from the month of April, Biren stated.The Government has also initiated strong actions in order to check extortion and unlawful activities committed by militants under SoO pact. There was an instance when 26 militants of SoO group were arrested along with weapons for carrying out unlawful activities.Regarding the State-wide bandh called by a UG group which had signed an MoU with the Government, the Chief Minister clarified that the MoU was for a period of four years and the same period had expired.But it did not mean the Government totally marginalised the particular group. After talking about their grievances together with the DGP, the bandh was withdrawn on the assurance that their grievances would be considered after the Assembly session is over, Biren said.Apart from intensifying the drive against drug abuse and drug peddlers, a police team led by an IGP has been formed. Police have been taking befitting action against drug abusers, drug smugglers as well as vehicle-lifters.Since the establishment of Fast Track Court, 11 people have been convicted for crimes against women. The Government has also initiated necessary measures to check acts of mob justice which project there is no rule of law in the State. Some people involved in inciting mob justice have been already imprisoned, Biren said. CCTV cameras installed at different points of Imphal city would be re-located as a case is pending in the Court and the alternative sites have been already identified. The State Government has also decided to hand over the case of recent multiple bomb blasts at Imphal to NIA.The Chief Minister assured that he would look into the matter of police asking money for refuelling vehicles when MLAs ask for protection during their visits to their home constituencies. The State Government has also been seeking a comprehensive scheme from the Centre to augment existing fire service stations and set up new ones at places far away from district headquartersThe Anti-Corruption Cell has already taken up actions against 28 officers including suspension and termination while 10 officers of integrity have been inducted anew, Biren informed the House.